"Idioscapes"

It's an odd proposition for a compilation:  have the participants, most who are well known luminaries in the modern electronic avant garde world, submit tracks for a compilation that are idiosyncratic by nature, or essentially a very specific piece unlike their 'normal' work.  The product of which is a surprisingly diverse mix with little in the way of 'low' spots, and also makes for a great genre introduction. 

 

Idiosyncratics Records

Although idiosyncratic by definition, some of these tracks are not completely out of left field for the genre, such as opener Janek Schaefer's "Scarlet Arrives," constructed from deep synthetic rumbles, organic tones, and some vinyl surface noises.  Others do intentionally break from their expected styles, such as noise legend KK Null opting to work with digital percussion sounds instead of his trademark guitar destruction on "Idioscape/Decomposition."  Northwestern US maniac Daniel Menche also contributes "Cadence," which, instead of going for full on textural noise destruction instead opts to gentily utilize percussion and focus on calm tones in order to construct a filmic, soundtrack type piece.

Others take the concept to far left field even more so.  Modern minimalist clown prince Charlemagne Palestine's "La Beaute et la Bete" uses the title to a literal level, mixing his extended organ drones with a field recording of a farm or a petting zoo, and, well, a nice helping of porno samples.  It's a do-it-yourself bestiality soundtrack guaranteed to induce laughter.  Norwegian miscreants Jazkamer submit "Ruido Rosa 5 Minutos," which makes for a lo-fi crunchy burst of noise that isn't too different from Lasse Marhaug's harsher noise solo work, however a little softer and mellower. The most out of place track on here is Steffen Basho-Junghans' simple track of acoustic guitar that is of a simple motif that gradually layers itself thicker and thicker throughout, probably only due to instrumentation.

While they're not necessarily out of place, a few contributions don't stand out as being unique or fascinating, such as those by Troum and Eve and the Sickness.  They're not really "stinkers" by any means, just ones that are overshadowed by the more unique works here.  The nice thing is what makes this beginner-friendly is that the tracks are nice and bite sized (unlike the sprawling epics indicative of this genre) and the artists' contributions are different enough that established fans will be eager to hear what's here, but consistent enough with prior work that it will draw in newcomers without disappointing them.

samples:

• KK Null - Idioscape/Decomposition
• Charlemagne Palestine - La Beaute et la Bete
• Daniel Menche - Cadence